SOUTH Basildon and East Thurrock MP James McMurdock has praised DHL's London Gateway warehouse as a "blueprint for the future of British logistics" following a visit to the company's state-of-the-art facility on the London Gateway Logistics Park near Stanford-le-Hope.

Independent MP Mr McMurdock toured the site to see first-hand how the warehouse operates.

Opened in 2023, the London Gateway facility was developed in partnership with Mars and plays a central role in the storage and distribution of goods across the UK. Mr McMurdock was briefed on how DHL has re-engineered its logistics network to remove more than one million miles a year from Britain's roads, easing congestion, cutting emissions, and reducing pressure on local transport infrastructure.

Commenting on the visit, Mr McMurdock said: "The logistics industry has to evolve to meet rising consumer demand, and DHL is clearly leading from the front. Yet despite logistics underpinning almost every sector of the UK economy, the Government's so-called Modern Industrial Strategy devoted just one page to it.

"That is a serious oversight. We should be working with companies like DHL, not against them." 

The MP was particularly impressed by the warehouse's advanced automation systems, including fully automated storage bays. These technologies significantly reduce health and safety risks for staff while lowering operating costs, such as the need for constant lighting, demonstrating how innovation can deliver both economic and social benefits.

Mr McMurdock also highlighted DHL's role as a major local employer and its commitment to workforce development:

He added: "DHL sits at the heart of modern life. It's through infrastructure like this that families receive the gifts they order online and enjoy the products on our shelves at Christmas. What stood out to me was the balance DHL has invested in automation while continuing to train, upskill, and create real career opportunities for local people." 

Concluding his visit, Mr McMurdock confirmed he would be raising the issue directly with ministers:

"I will be writing to the Secretaries of State for Energy, Business and Transport to press the Government to help DHL unlock its full potential in supporting Great British businesses and jobs."